Tractor



' H. J. SAUVAGE.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 1917- Patented July 20, 1920.

4 SHEEIS-SHEEI l- H. J. (SAUVAGE.

TRACTOR. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, I917- Patented July 20, 1920.

' '4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I v IN VEN, TOR. fi zz'Zzz/fiiw A TTORN H. J. SAUVAGE.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I6, 1917- I v 1,3463 1 5 Patented July 20, 1920.

- 4 SHEEISSHEEI 3.

INVEN TOR.

H. J. SAUVAGE.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 1911.

Patented July 20, 1920.

4 SHEEISSHEET 4.

AQAVVR Ark UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFICE."

HERBERT J. SAUVAGE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TRACTOR.

Application filed June 16,

To all whom it'may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT J. SAUvAcE, a subject of the King of England, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tractors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to improvements in motor vehicles, but more specifically to tractors of the three wheel type, especially designed for hauling heavy loads, such as in railroad and freight depots, baggage rooms, warehouses and for similar purposes, where it is at times necessary to op erate and turn' the tractor in a small or limited space, and one of the objects of the present invention is to improve and simplify a tractor of this character and at the same time construct the same so that it will not only be compact and strong in construction, and efficient in operation, but will be easy to control and operate.

A further object is to provide an improved tractor of this character wherein a single driving wheel is employed, the driving mechanism and gearing being adapted to be readily detached from the remaining structure, as a single unit, the operating parts being completely housed and protected.

A further object is to provide an improved tractor of this character so constructed that the greater part ofthe weight of the structure will be carried by a single driving wheel, and will be suspended from a point disposed above the wheel and the driving mechanism therefor.

A further object is to provide an improved tractor of this character having means whereby the tractor may be employed for pushing articles, and means whereby the tractor will engage the article at a low elevation from the supportingsurface.

A. further object is to provide an improved brake, and a still further object is to 7 provide an improved construction of electric collector rings for ,the controller.

To the attainment of these ends, and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts, hereinafter more fully described'and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention, and in which:

.Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation,

Specification of Letters Patent. Pat t Jul 0,

1917. Serial No. 175,071.

driving gear, and taken on line 44, Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on linev 55, Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal detail sectional view taken on line 6-6, Fig. 3. I

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 74, Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a detail view as taken on 'line' 88, Fig. 7. a

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9, Fig. 7. Referring more particularly to the drawings, the frame or body ofthe tractor may be constructed in any desired or suitable manner, but preferably by means of two channel bars 10 forming the side members thereof, the rear ofthese' members 10 are .channel members 10, as shown more.clearly" in Fig. 0 gether in any suitable manner such as by means of fastening-bolts orrivets l4. Surrounding the opening 13 in the member 12 is a casing 15 which may be constructed of any suitable material, such as, sheet metal, and the lower extremity of this casing projects into the opening 13 and is secured in position preferably by means of fastening bolts or devices 16, and the casing thus formed projects for any suitable distance and the parts are fastened toabove the platform of the tractor. The up- I per end of the casing is closed by asuitable member 17, to which the casing is secured and this member 17 is' provided with an opening 18 for a, purpose to be hereinafter set forth. The casing is also provided with a suitable door opening 19 adapted to be closed by a' closure 20, and through which door opening access may be readily had to the driving mechanism.

Secured to the members 10, preferably adj acent the rear thereof, are suitable bearing "plates. 21 in which are journaled stub-axles 22, carrying wheels 23, and connected with the hubs of these wheels are brake applying surfaces 24, around which surface a suitable band brake 25 passes. One end of the brake 25 is anchored as at 26 and the other end thereof is connected with a crank arm 27, by

means of a suitable adjustable connection .28. These crank arms 27 are connected with a rod or beam 29, the latter passing through suitable bearings in the members 21, and being angular in cross section, so as to secure ing 34, and the member 32 is provided with a supporting surface 35, while the member 33 is provided with the supporting surfaces 36. An upright designated generally by the reference numeral 37 is provided with a downwardly opening chamber 38, adjacent its base, the walls of the chamber being provided with-the boxes 39 to receivethe bearings 40, carrying stub shafts 41. These shafts extend through the walls of the chamber and are-each provided with a flange 42 on their inner entis, and these flanges 42 are secured by means of suitable fastening devices 43, to the faces of the hub 44 of the wheel 45. The chamber 38 in the member 31 registers with the space 34 in the member 31, and the upright issupported by'the faces .35, 36 and secured thereto by suitable fastening devices 46.

The external diameter of the. member 31 is somewhatdess than the interior diameter of i the member 12, and anti-friction rollers 47 arejournaled to the member 12 and disposed between the members 12 and-31 to holdthe member 31 in position and to take up the lateral thrust of the parts.

The upper extremity 48 of the upright 37- is of a size and somewhat less than the diameter of the opening 18 in the member 17,

so as to form a space therebetween, and a washer or member 49 surrounds the upper extremity 48 of the upright and is secured thereto as at 50. This member 49 extends over the opening 18 in the member 17 and serves as a means for securing the upright and its attached parts fromseparation or from being detached from the member 17, 'yet the extremity 48 turns freely in the opening 18 to permit the wheel 45 t'o'be switched with respect to the platformfland the casing 15. 1

Supported by the extremity 48 of the upright is a bearing" member 51 and, interposed between this member 51 and the upright is a ball bearing 52," both arranged preferably above the member 17 of the casing 15. A cap 53 is removably secured to the member 17 by means of the fastening devices 54, and this cap member 53 serves to hold the bearing members in position with respect to'the member 17, so that the end of the upright will turn in the bearings when the wheel 45 .is shifted, and the end thrust of the upright will be received by the bearings.

It will. be noted that in this construction and as the wheel 45 rests upon the surface of the ground or floor, the greater portion of the weight of the structure will be exerted upon the upright 37 and wheel 45, and the weight of the platform and body of the mechanism will be suspended from a single point, located above the traction wheel 45. The upright 37 is provided with an opening 55 within which is arranged a motor 56. The shaft .57 of the motor has secured to it a gear wheel 58 to rotate therewith, and this gear wheel meshes withidle gears 59, 60,-mounted respectively upon shafts 61, 62, which latter are connected with a bearing member 63 that coeperates with a companion bearing member 64, having balls 65 arranged therebetween. The idle gears 59, 60 are arranged within an internal toothed member 66 which is secured to the upright 37 against rotation,

rotation about the shaft 57. he free ends of the shafts 61, 62 have hearings in ameniber 67, which member is reduced to form a journal 68 operating in a bearing 69, which latter is mounted in a support 70 connected with the upright 37. The journal 68 is ar-. ranged'in alinement with the shaft 57 and has connected with it, to rotate therewith", a

sprocket gear 71-over which a sprocket chain 72 passes, and which sprocket chain also passes over a sprocket wheel 73 on the shaft 41 of the wheel 45, for transmitting the motion of the motor 56 to the traction Wheel 45. The upright 37 on the side thereof adjacent the gearing just described, is provided with a fiange 74 extending therearound and a cap member 75 is removably securedto the flange 7,4, and coiiper'ates therewith to form a liquid tight casing in which the gearing and the sprockets as Well as the sprocket chain are arranged, so t at the chamber may be filled with oil in wh oh the parts are adapted to operate.

It will be manifest that with this construction of gearing and with the motor'arranged in'the manner shown ready access I may be had to the gearing, after the steering head has been detachedfrom the rest,

of the mechanism and the motor may also be readily removed from the upright.

' Secured to the framework formed by the side members and end members 11 and 12, is a platform 76 which may be of any desired size and configuration and constructed of any suitable material. This platform is preferably secured to the. frame work by suitable fastening devices 77 passing therethrough and into the member 10, and the platform is preferably of a Width to project slightly beyond the outer face of the rear wheels 23.

Receptacles 78, suitable for receiving the batteries, are arranged upon the platform on opposite sides of the steering head and are preferably of a length to extend substantially the length of the tractor body. Extending along the sides of the receptacle 78 are bumper members 79 which may be constructed of any suitable material. One extremity of each of these members is secured as at 80 to the platform 76, and the members 7 9 themselves are located preferably at some distance above the platform and are secured directly to the receptacles, whereby the bumpers will be reinforced or strengthened by the receptacles. The forward ends of the members 79 extend around the receptacles 7 8 to project a short distance in advance of the front of the receptacles, and the extremities of these members are deflected toward the casing 15 as at 80, and are secured as at 81 to the casing on opposite sides of the center of the tractor. connecting member 82 extends across the space between the forward ends of the members 78 and in advance of the steering head, and is'secured to the members 79.

This member '7 9 and the connecting member 82 serve the purpose of bumpers, so that when it is desired to shove an article upon the floor or ground, all that is necessary is to drive the tractor against the article so that the members 79 or 82 strike the article and the article will be moved or shifted.

The outer edges of the platform 76, at the sides of the machine project a short distance beyond the outer face of the member 7 9 as at 83, and inasmuch as this projecting edge of the platform is located in close proximity to the ground, it will be manifest that when the tractor is'moved into engagement with an article, to shift the latter, the article will be engaged at a low point with respect to the ground, so that when the article-is moved, its tendency to tip over will be avoided, yet if the article should t1p over,

it will strike the bumper members 79 at the side of the tractor. """Extending through the extremlty 48 of the upright 37 and having connection with theopening in vwhich'the motor 56 is located,

a gear 90 that is connected with a tiller or steering wheel 91 for rotation therew'ith.

' The steering wheel 91 is connected with the upper extremity of the tubular member 84 to rotate independently thereof. It will thus be seen that when the wheel 91' is rotated, this motion will be imparted by means of the gear 90 to the gear 89, 86 and thence to the gear 85 which latter is secured tothe tubular member, and which tubular member is secured as at 92 with the upright 37, so as to turn the wheel 45 with respect to the casing and the platform of the tractor. A tubular fiber insulating member 93 surrounds and is secured to the"tu'bular member 84, above the member'17 of the casing and secured to this insulating member .93 are a series of collector rings 94, which are spaced from each other. longitudinally of .the tubular member 84 and are of an internal diameter somewhat greater than the exterior diameter of the insulating member 93. Projecting inwardly from each of the rings 94 are a seriesof lugs 95, through which suitable fastening devices 96' pass to engage the insulating member 93 for securing the collector rings in position.

Conductor members 96 preferably comprising copper strips are provided, onefor each of the rings 94, and these copper strips are preferably secured to a projection 97 on the respective rings 94; and the strips 96 are spaced radially from each other, and are so arranged that each of the strips is of a different length extending from a point ad'- jacent the bottom of the series of collector rings to and contacting with only one of the collector rings.

The conductors 98 which are connected with the motor 56 extend through the'tubular member 84 and are connected as at 99 with therespective strips 96, preferably at the lower extremity of the series of collector rings.

A controller 100 is provided and located in any suitable or convenientposltion for the operator, preferably beneath the steering wheel 91 and preferably resting upon the top member .17 of the casing 15. This controller isprovided'with an operating lever 101, which in turn controls the circuit through a series of brushes 102, one of which is provided for each of the collector rings" 94, and the brushes are each provided with a conductor 103 for connecting the same with the controller. n

- tractor wheel 45 about an upright axis, so

as to bring the cap 75 of the ear casing adjacent the door opening 19 of the casing 15,

and then after the cap has been removed, the gearing will be exposed. v When it is desired to remove the steering post, including the traction wheel 45, the motor and gearing, the tiller wheel 91 is first removed, the insulating member 93' loosened, and then the body of the tractor may be elevated,-so that all of the steering head mechanism may be removed as a unit, or the tractor may be moved so that the steering head mechanism will be positioned over a pit, which will permit the steering head to be lowered from the machine.

With this improved construction, it will also be manifest that the tractor may beturned and manipulated in a very small area, and inasmuch as the platform'ls located in close proximity to the ground, it is impos-v sible for the tractor to topple over. If desired casters 104 may be provided, and secured to the frame-work at points in 2 1 Vance of the axis of the traction wheel 45, so

that in the event that the tractor strikes high places, which would tend to lower the front end of the tractor, the weight will be received by the casters.

\ When it is desired to remove the tractionwheel allthat is necessary is to remove the fastening devices 43 after which the standard, an end thrust bearing betweenv the wheel may be readily displaced.

What is claimed as new is I 1. A motor vehicle embodying a supporting structure, anupright frame, a traction wheel journaled to theframe, a motor for driving the traction wheel, said motor being v supported by the frame, abearing disposed" between the frame and the said structure adjacent the upper end of the; frame for receiving the end thrust of the. frame and for supporting the said supporting structure,

, and a lateral thrust bearing disposed between the said supportin structure and frame and spaced from the rst recited bear-j, I

Ting structure, a traction wheel, means for ing, said motor being disposed above the vsaid traction wheel and- .-intermediate said bearings. v v p 2. A motor vehicle embodying a supporta ing structure, an upright framc,"a ,traction wheel journaledto the frame, amotor for driving the traction wheel,.said motor-being,

supported by the frame, a bearing disposed betweenthe frame and-the said structure adjacent the upper end' of the frame for receiving the end thrust of the frame and for p supporting .the said supporting structure,

and a lateral thrust bearing disposed between the said supporting structure and frame and spaced fromlthe first recited bearing, said motor being disposed above the said traction wheel and intermediate the said bearings, said frame, traction wheel and motor being adapted for a complete rotation about an upright axis with respect to the supporting structure and detachable as a unit from the said supporting structure.

3. A device of the character described, embodying' a wheel supported platform, laterally spaced battery receptacles mounted thereon adjacent the sides of the platform, and extending lengthwise of said sides, and

a bumper element secured to the receptaclesandextending across the space between the receptacles and beyond one end of the receptacles. V

4. A motor Vehicle embodying a platform having an-opening therein, a traction wheel operating in the opening, battery receptacles secured to the platform, and located on opposite sides of the opening, and a bumper element supported by the receptacles.

5. A motor vehicle embodying a platform having an opening therein, a traction wheel operating in the opening, battery receptacles secured to'the platform, and located on opposite sides of the opening, and a bumper element supported by the receptacles, said bumper element extending transversely of the space between the receptacles-and atone end of the said receptacles. e 6. A motor vehicleembodyinga supporting structure, a traction wheel, means mounting the wheel for rotation about horizontal, I

and upright aXeS Q'with respect to the supporting structure, said means embodying a I supporting structure and upper portion of the standard, a lateral thrust bearing between the supporting structure and the lower portion of the standard, a motor for driving the traction wheel and supported by the standard, above the traction wheel, a portion .of'the standard having a lateral flange to form'a chamber, gearing between the motor and traction wheel and disposed within the chamber, and a closure plate cooperating with thesaid flange to form with the standard a liquidtiglit lubricant chamber.

- 7. A-motor vehiclei embodying a support- I mo'untingsaid wheel for rotation on upright and standard, a motor for driving the traction wheel, mounted upon T the standard. .above the traction wheel,- and between tlr e said bearings,'electric collector rings connected with the standard,. an electric con? troller, brushes-intermediate the rings and controller, and steering means connected with the said standard.

8. A motor vehicle embodying a supporting structure, a traction wheel, means mounting said wheel for rotation on upright and horizontal axes, said means embodying a standard, means for moving the standard about an upright axis, said standard embodying spaced walls between which the traction wheel is arranged, alined'bearings in opposite walls, journals mounted in the bearings and projecting into the space between thewalls, flanges on the journals within the space, said flanges abutting the hub of the traction wheel on opposite sides of the wheels, and fastening-means engaging the said flanges and the respective adj'acent ends of the wheel hub for removably securing the traction wheel in position.

9. A motor vehicle embodying a support ving structure, a traction wheel, means mounting said'wheel for rotation about horizontal and upright axes, said means embodying a standard, a motor for driving the traction wheel and supported by the standard, end thrustand lateral thrust bearings between the standard and said supporting structure, and steering means embodying a gear fixedly connected with the standard, a steering wheel loosely connected with the standard, intermediate gearing between the steering wheel and the first'said gear, said intermediate gearing being independent of the standard, and means forming a support and bearing for the said intermediate gearmg. a

10. .A motor vehicle embodying a supporting structure, a traction wheel, means mounting said wheel for rotation about horizontal and upright axes, said means embodying a standard, a motor for driving the traction wheel, and supported by the standard, and steering means for the standard,

said steering means embodying a gear supported platform arranged at'a 'low ele-- fixedly connected with the standard, a steer{ ingwheel loosely connected with the standard, intermediate gearing betweenthe steering wheel and the first said gear, said inter:

mediate gearing being independent vof the standard, and means forming a support and bearing for the said intermediate gearing. 11. A motor vehicle embodying a wheel vation and having an \opening therethrough,

a motor driven traction wheel operating in said opening, means supporting said wheel for rotation about upright and horizontal axes, said meansembodying a standard, projecting above the platform, a casing projectingabove the platform and housing the standard'and traction wheel, end thrust and lateral thrust bearings between the standard and casin a motor for driving the traction wheel an supported by the standard, saidplatform projecting laterally beyond the "of the said receptacles,

a motor driven traction wheel operating in .said opening, means supporting said wheel for rotation about upright and horizontal axes, said means embodying a standard, projecting abovevthe platform, a casing projecting above the platform and housing the standard and traction wheel, end thrust and lateral thrust 'bearings'between the standard and casing, a motor for driving the traction wheel and supported by the standard, said platform projecting laterally beyond the casing, battery receptacles sup portedby the platformon opposite sides of the casing, and a bumper member extending across the spacesbetween the ends of the said receptacles and in advance of the'said casing.

13. A motor supported platform arranged at alow elevation and having an opening therethrough,

1 amotor driven traction wheel operating in said opening, means supporting said. wheel for rotation about upright and horizontal axes, said means embodying a standard, projecting above the platform, a casing -,projecting above the platform and housing the vehicle embodying a wheel standard and traction wheel, end thrust and a lateral thrust bearings between the standard and casing, a motor for driving the traction wheel and- 'supported by the standard, said platform projecting laterally beyond the casing, battery receptacles supported by' the platform on opposite sides of the casing, and a bumper encompassing the receptacles above the platform and projecting across the 14. A motor vehicle embodying a wheel supported platform arranged at a low elevation and having an opening-therethrough,

a motor driven traction wheel operating in said opening, means supporting said wheel for rotation about upright and horizontal axes, said means embodying a standard, projecting above the platform, a casing prospace between the ends ofthe receptacles and in advance of the said caslng.

jecting above the platform and housing the v standard and traction wheel, end thrust andlateral thrust bearings between the standard and casing, a motor for driving the traction wheel and supported by the standard, sald platform projecting laterally beyond the casing, battery receptacles supported by the platform on opposite sides of the casing,

along the outer sides and bumpers extending the side edges of the said platform projecting laterally beyond the side faces of the said bumper member.

15. A motor vehicle embodying a wheel supported platform arr'anged at a low'elevation, a motor driven traction wheel, means supporting the traction wheel for rotation about upright and horizontal axes, the said meansembodying an upright driving structure projecting above the platform, means for controlling the driving structure, bumpers, and means supporting the bumpers to extend lengthwise of the'side edges of, and spaced. above the platform, the outer face of the bumper being disposed'within the plane of the side edge of the structure.

16. A motor vehicle embodying a wheel supported platform arranged at a low elevation, a motor driven traction wheel, means supporting the traction wheel for rotation about upright and horizontal axes, the said means embodying an upright driving struc ture projecting above the platform, means for controlling the driving structure, bumpers, and means supporting the bumpers to extend lengthwise of the side edges of, and

spaced above the platform, the outer face of the bumpers being disposed within the side edge of the structure, a portion of said 4 bumpers extending across the front of the vehicle, above the platform and in advance of the said driving structure.

17. A motor vehicle embodying a wheel supported platform arranged at a low elevatlon, a traction wheel, means embodying a standard mounting the traction wheel for rotation about upright and horizontal axes, a motor for driving the traction wheel and supported by the standard, a casing rising above the platform and, housing the standard, motor and traction wheel, an end thrust bearing between the casing and one end of the standard, a lateral thrust bearing between'the standard and easing, a portion of the standard projecting beyond the top of the casing, a steering wheel operatively connected with the standard, an insulating element encompassing and-secured to the port1on of the standard which projects beyond theycasing, electric collector rings secured tothe insulating element, conductors between the motor and the respective collector rings, and controller brushes individual to the collector rings.

18. A motor vehicle embodying a driving motor, "a casinghousing the motor, a plurality of. spaced collector rings,"a support for the rings, insulating material disposed between the rings and support,'jconductor, elements individual to the rings, said conductor elementsbe'in-g? arranged within the rings, one of the conductor elements being. secured to eachof the rings,;means indi -.5

I of. June, A-.D. 1917.

i vidual to the rings for holding thejrespec-' tive conductor element out of contact with the other collector rings, means electrically cooperat- 19. A motor :vehicle embodying a driving motor, a casing housing the motor, a plurality of spaced collector rings, a support for the rings, insulating material disposed between the rings and support, conductor elements individual to the rings,vsaid conductor elements being arranged "within the rings, one of the conductor elements being secured to each of the rings, means embodying a lug on the inner face of each of the rings to which the respective conductor element is secured, said lug being arranged out of longitudinal alinement for holding the respective conductor element out of electrical connection with the other rings, means electrically connecting the conductor'elements with the motor, and brushes cooperating with the said collector rings.

20. A motor vehicle embodying a driving motor, a casing housing the motor, an elec-j trical collector embodying an insulating support, collector rings secured. to the sup-.

port and spaced from each other longitudinally of the support, there being an in wardly projecting lug connected with each ofthe rings, said lugs being-disposed out of alinement, a conductor] element secured to each of the lugs and arranged within "the rings, additional conductors connected with the first recited conductor elements, and

brushes contacting with the outer surface of tween the bearings, and a drive connection between the motor and traction wheel.

22. A .motor vehicle embodying a wheel supported structure, a traction "wheel, drivspaced' superposed bumper elements extendinglengthwise of the side of thestructure,

the outer face of the upper bumper element being disposed in a plane'laterally spaced from the plane of the outer face of the-lower bumper element. u a

In testimony whereof I have. signed my name to this specificatiomi in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 9th day B J? Witnesses: I 1' FRANK N; REED,

' J. H. JooHUM, Jr.

1'10. ing mechanism for the traction wheel and; 

